take form

USAGE SUMMARY

"take form" is not a correct phrase in written English.
A phrase that can be used in its place would be "take shape," which means the same thing. For example: The project began to take shape as they worked together.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Blondy and Zwelish began to take form shortly after that.

The New Yorker

Slowly, the shapes take form, revealing something violent and grotesque.

The Guardian - Arts

Opposition parties were then allowed to take form.

The Guardian - Opinion

Canada's newest megaresort, Revelstoke, is finally starting to take form.

The New York Times - Travel

Rounded seashells, curved octopus arms and spherical sea urchins take form in gold earrings and rings.

The New York Times

The immediate truth is too glaring to allow a more subtle truth to take form".

The New York Times

The tensions and doubts fostered by that uncertainty take form in roiling, insistent orchestral figuration.

The New York Times - Arts

Ellington owned them, but they didn't start in his head, or take form under his fingers.

The New Yorker

He labored for years, writing and rewriting, watching the book and its characters take form.

The New York Times - Science

These problems are not limited to China and take form in other emerging markets.

The New York Times

Zoetrope began to take form in a series of e-mail messages with the moviemaker.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "take form" is frequently used, consider using the more grammatically accepted alternative "take shape" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Even if a phrase like "take form" is widely used, always prioritize standard grammatical conventions. Using "take shape" ensures your writing aligns with established grammar rules, enhancing its credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take form" functions as a verb phrase, describing the process of something becoming defined or structured. Despite its common usage as shown in Ludwig, it is considered grammatically questionable by Ludwig AI, suggesting preference for alternatives like "take shape".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "take form" appears frequently in various contexts as demonstrated by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically questionable by Ludwig AI. The phrase functions as a verb phrase that describes the process of something becoming defined and is most commonly used in news and media, and science contexts. A grammatically correct and preferred alternative is "take shape", which conveys the same meaning with greater grammatical accuracy. Therefore, while "take form" is understandable, opting for "take shape" can improve the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take shape

This is a more standard and grammatically sound alternative, directly implying the process of assuming a defined form.

assume form

Similar to "take form", but emphasizes the act of adopting a particular shape.

materialize

Implies becoming real or actual, shifting from an idea to a tangible reality.

develop

Focuses on the gradual growth and evolution towards a complete form.

emerge

Highlights the act of coming into view or existence.

become defined

Highlights the process of gaining clarity and distinctness in form or structure.

crystallize

Suggests a clear and definite form is achieved after a period of uncertainty.

formulate

Implies creating something according to a specific plan or method.

coalesce

Suggests elements coming together to form a unified whole.

take effect

This implies a more abstract sense of becoming operational or impactful, rather than a physical form.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "take form"?

A more grammatically sound alternative to "take form" is "take shape", which conveys the same meaning of something becoming defined or structured.

In what contexts can I use "take shape" instead of "take form"?

You can generally use "take shape" in any context where you would use "take form", as it expresses the same idea of something developing or materializing in a defined way.

Why is "take form" considered grammatically questionable?

While "take form" is used, standard English grammar tends to favor the phrasing "take shape". This is because "shape" functions more effectively as a noun in this context.

Are there situations where "take form" might be preferred over "take shape"?

There are no specific situations where "take form" is grammatically preferable. While usage exists, opting for "take shape" ensures adherence to standard grammar and avoids potential ambiguity.